The Chicago Bears place Trey Burton on the injured reserve
2019 has not been a fun year for Trey Burton. That is disappointing because 2018 was a great year for the Chicago Bears starting tight end.
After a year where he put up career numbers and signed a contract, he got hurt before the Chicago Bears playoff game. That injury lasted into the offseason, which eventually dug into the regular season. After missing the opener Burton returned but was never the same.
After trying to return without much effect, a ripple injury to his calf caused him to miss the Lions game. The Bears figured it was best just to end his season.
Many Chicago Bears are going to be disappointed in the news and call for Burton to be cut. However, the reality is that he will be back in 2020. His contract is going to be too hard to move, and they do not save enough money by cutting him compared to the dead cap to justify it.
This makes the decision even more understanding. The Bears are technically alive, but do not have much to play for as they close out the year.
They need Burton to exceed expectations next season. There is no way they can replenish the tight end room over night, and they will once again need a huge impact from Burton.
Let Burton take the rest of this year, and get back to his completely normal self. There will be no excuses in 2020. He is easy to move on from in 2021, and the Bears will know exactly what they have in his health by then.
Here is to hoping this is just a miserable year, and 2020 is more like 2018.
It is also worth noting the team did not bring up Jesper Horsted from the practice squad to replace him. It sounds like we will see JP Holtz, Ben Brauncker and Bradley Sowell at tight end moving forward.